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Post by tjdreams on Nov 25, 2016 19:25:06 GMT -5
Lets hear your thoughts on DCC.
How many of your Loco's have Decoders in them.?
Why do you stay with DC.?
Why did you switch to DCC.? What DCC system are you using.? NCE, Digitrax, ESU, MRC, ? And why did you choose the system you did?
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Post by tjdreams on Nov 25, 2016 19:42:23 GMT -5
I chose to give DCC a try after seeing how well it worked with other Scales.
Plus I liked the idea of being able to run several trains on the same track and control each one individually
That and I like the Idea of being able to add sound to my loco's
I have 15 Locos with Decoder installed + 7 more decoders waiting to be installed
I plan to keep a mix of both DC and DCC loco's
I went with the NCE Power Cab to start, It was cheaper than the base Digitrax system and came highly recommended by several people.
David
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Post by dazed on Nov 25, 2016 20:26:13 GMT -5
Lets hear your thoughts on DCC.
I believe that DCC adds multiple new dimensions to the hobby of model railroading, from lighting effects to performance tweaks to sound to more accurate operations and many many more. It has the ability to simplify wiring and control of the layout, while allowing for more fluid movement of locomotives without having to be restricted by dedicated isolated electrical blocks. I'm personally not a fan of control panels and DCC allows for a clean, simple fascia that keeps the focus on the trains.
How many of your Loco's have Decoders in them.?
I only have 10 locomotives and they are either equipped or in the process of having a decoder installed.
Why do you stay with DC.?
I don't, other than to do initial break in and testing performance before installing a decoder.
Why did you switch to DCC.?
I'm a tech geek, and strongly believe in command control as an absolute necessity in model railroading. I wanted the Keller system for my HO as a young teenager in the 80's but could not afford it then. DCC becoming commonplace in N-scale is what brought me back to the hobby in the late 90's, and I wouldn't have come to Z if DCC was not readily available.
What DCC system are you using.?
Digitrax
And why did you choose the system you did?
I wanted to implement a signalling system and the appeal of the Digitrax detection system tilted my decision that direction. At the time it was also one of the easier paths to computer integration, and had good support both manufacturer level and the local community. Got a Zephyr and it was a nice compact unit that met my needs, along with the Digitrax throttles. Having the dual throttle controls on one throttle has always been a positive for me operating on small layouts. I've since upgraded to a Zephyr Xtra.
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Post by dawdawes on Nov 26, 2016 0:53:05 GMT -5
I have been a user of DCC since 2003 on my N scale layouts, but not on my Z.
Why you ask, well I like sound and have found the Kato soundbox works great linked to decent speakers under the layout.
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Post by emaley on Nov 26, 2016 9:15:15 GMT -5
I use both DC and DCC. I have some stuff that won't be getting decoders and want to run them also. I like the ability to run multiple trains easily. I like the possibility of sound. I really wanted the better motor control. My Z layout is only 48 x 34 so I didn't need a large system so I went with the NCE. The price and the more user friendly interface was also a big part of the choice. I am just now getting my first decoders installed in my Z stuff, but have a few in my N locos. I have mostly TCS decoders, but also 1 ESU with sound and an RDC with a digitrax decoder. Gotta say with my limited experience so far the TCS and LokSound are my favorite hands up.
The tech side of me loves the DCC. The mechanic side of me likes the tried and true DC. I am the same way with cars and airplanes. I like better control with things like engine management and flight control, but think in-flight and in-car wi-fi are a bad idea. It's the old peace sign on the body armor dilemma.
Trey
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gnfan
New Member
Posts: 33
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Post by gnfan on Nov 26, 2016 17:59:38 GMT -5
Lets hear your thoughts on DCC.
How many of your Loco's have Decoders in them.?
Why do you stay with DC.?
Why did you switch to DCC.? What DCC system are you using.? NCE, Digitrax, ESU, MRC, ? And why did you choose the system you did?
How many...? "About half". ;-) I figure I have about two dozen locos overall. About half of them are MTL F7s or AZL F59PHIs, both of which require hard-wired- rather than drop-in decoders. I haven't taken that risk yet. Come to think of it, I do have one F7 and a custom-switcher each with DCC, but I bought both from someone who had the installations done. But, generally, if it's drop-in capable, I generally do so. (I'm not the best at detail work, so if I can handle the drop-in process, it's do-able by others.) Why do I stay with DC? See above: hard-wiring is above my pay-grade/skill-level/comfort-level. Why did I switch to DCC? Where I did switch, slow-speed operation, precise speed control (so I can run multiple trains on the same track-loop, and accelerate or slow a given train via the throttle rather than holding back the speedster with my finger. ;-) What system...? NCE PowerCab. Why the system I selected? I followed the crowd. ;-) Lots of others use NCE, too. But I also like the way it works, ease-of-use. Mike |
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Post by shamoo737 on Nov 26, 2016 18:16:36 GMT -5
My guess is 60 dcc locomotives, but I think that's a low number. I been running the Powercab for 10 years. This days I keep couple of dc locos, because Ellen and Thom don't run dcc.
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Joes
Fireman
Posts: 84
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Post by Joes on Nov 27, 2016 13:29:13 GMT -5
Im DC. I like just putting a loco on the track and going. Not into programing, I use Jorger speed controllers and gaugmasters and get great running results.
Of course I like to just watch my trians roll...I'm not really into operating...I like slow and steady round and round...
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Post by markm on Nov 28, 2016 10:10:08 GMT -5
For me, DCC is just another facet of model railroading. My answer (like the current poll results) is both. I can do what I want in Z scale in either DC or DCC and IMHO there isn't much that can be done in one that can't be done in the other. The differences are how much work you want to do and how much you're willing to spend.
I have some Märklin and MTL units that I will never DCC: it would be to costly or too risky to convert. Some of my fleet is DCC (4-5) with hardware to convert a few more. Like others, I'm using the NCE power cab. It's it right "size" for what I want.
Mark
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